Not quite a movie clip but rather a quick four second montage of shots from an unauthorized fly past made by a senior Cathay Pacific pilot, Captain Ian Wilkinson, in a brand new 777-300ER at Boeing's Everett facilities on January 30th. After a disciplinary hearing he was dismissed.

The question is, was he fired for pulling the stunt, or for not obtaining appropriate authorization? It was suggested that one of the Cathay Pacific top brass on board at the time requested Captain Wilkinson perform the maneuver.

Not wishing to make light of Capt Wilkinson's dilemma (and apparent loss of GBP250,000 a year - his wallet must have needing calculating for take off weight!) but I am sure he can find some airlines in Russia who would be only too pleased to employ a pilot who can fly that well. See "Il-76 Heavy Take Off Viewed from the Tower" posts!

i wasn't saying to expect...just saying that's what they used to make. and that's why the airlines are going tits up...can't pay many pilots like that and make money. i'm a commercial pilot...could'a got on with a regional carrier last year when the mins dropped but not for that kind of pay. if i'm gonna be sitting and talking i'm gonna be able to be in my bed at the end of the day

i wasn't saying to expect...just saying that's what they used to make. and that's why the airlines are going tits up...can't pay many pilots like that and make money. i'm a commercial pilot...could'a got on with a regional carrier last year when the mins dropped but not for that kind of pay. if i'm gonna be sitting and talking i'm gonna be able to be in my bed at the end of the day

Then again alot of people are not doing it for the money. Its really only first year f/o pay thats hurts, after that it becomes more reasonable. I wouldnt have spent 55000 dollars and counting on my flight training if I didnt love what I was doing. Pay is prob not going to increase anytime soon so not sure what you do or your intentions are but I d like ot get my foot in the airlines as soon as possible no matter what the pay is.

i wanted to work for the airlines all my life. but when i was flying back home from college and was delayed every other flight, having to spend the night here and there it just wasn't worth it to me. i spent that much and more on my flight training. had a job flying part 91 for a company after college. $275 a day. i would have flown for free...that's how us pilots are...love what we do...but it was just the combination that turned me away....hardly enough money for the responsibilities, time away from home, time on the road, etc..

i miss flying everyday, but i love what i do now even more. and it's obvious i don't control for the money since there was a 30% pay cut just before i went to OKC. PM me if you ever fly into the DC metro area

Whether you're working some dreary office job or working as an F/O for a regional carrier, you're likely making the same. The difference is i'd rather have the view out of a cockpit window than stare aimlessly at the walls in some cube farm.

just to break from the whole issue goin on right now, even though it is very important, but i will say, i wish i was there to see that happen in person. just because that would be awesome to see a 777 do a fly-by, to me, (still an underage retarded kid who loves aviation), just lookin at a 777 is kickass, b/c its that gigantic, and a third reason is that that plane has a beautiful paint scheme. i really like Cathay Pacific's paint scheme!

I'm paying for my flying lessons by living a double life as a desk jockey. To add insult to injury I can see the Toronto City Centre Airport from my cubicle! Mind you it also serves as a good motivator.